A MAJOR rationalisation programme, designed to streamline Ireland's World Championship squad at Athens in August, is likely to be discussed at a meeting of BLE's management committee on Friday. If adopted, it could mean that a significantly smaller team than originally envisaged will be in action in the showpiece event of the season.
Heretofore, athletes achieving an A qualifying standard were virtually assured of selection for all major championship events, including the Olympic Games and World and European championships.
Now, Ireland may fall in line with the policy adopted by a growing number of European countries and select only those with the potential to qualify for the finals of their specialist events.
The move has the blessing of the International Amateur Athletics Federation who are determined to put the emphasis on quality rather than quantity in its major presentations.
Based on the results of the Olympic Games in Atlanta, it could mean that only eight Irish athletes will be nominated for Athens, making for quite the smallest representation at a major championship for some time. Coming just days after Ireland's relegation from the first division of the European Cup, it would represent a big setback for some athletes gearing their programmes for Athens.
In the past, BLE has sent all qualified athletes to the big championships. But with changes imminent in the calendars of both the IAAF and the European Athletics Association, that may be about to change. Conscious of the need to fill gaps in their calendar, the IAAF is almost certain to introduce world championships at three different levels - under-17, under-19 and under-23 - in the near future. Once they come on stream, virtually every national federation will be forced to rationalise.
Brighter news for BLE is that Sonia O'Sullivan has confirmed her intention of taking part in next month's national championships. In all, she plans to run no more than five races between now and the World Championships, but one of them will be at Santry. As yet, her choice of event is uncertain, but there is some indication that she will choose the 800 metres.
The IAAF yesterday threatened to suspend any athletes who run against Mary Slaney or Sandra Farmer-Patrick should they defy a ruling and compete in the US National championships. The IAAF reiterated its decision to suspend the American duo, who cannot run in the event which starts in Indianapolis today until USA Track and Field holds a hearing into their alleged positive drug tests for excessive levels of testosterone.
IAAF spokesman Giorgio Reinieri said that general secretary Istvan Gyulai had sent official notification to USATF president Pat Rico. "We sent a letter to say that Mary Slaney and Sandra Farmer-Patrick are not allowed to compete. This is an interim suspension until there is a hearing."
Reinieri also confirmed that the IAAF's "contamination rule" would apply if Slaney or Farmer-Patrick compete, whereby anyone who runs against them risks being suspended themselves.
